CURRENT MISSION

I'm retired and ready to see more of the world, meet lots of interesting people, be helpful, stay healthy, and dance! As need be, I also love spending time with my two adult children (ages 23 and 26). They are a joy.

ABOUT ME

I'm a loving dad, social dancer, ocean kayaker, backcountry skier, retired Nordic Ski Patroller, music lover, liberal, linguist, and a very lucky and happy man.

PHILOSOPHY

People are inherently good. Giving to others is far more important than getting. Being rich is all about the people and experiences in your life, not having money and expensive stuff. The natural world is amazing and full of spirit.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I started couchsurfing on a trip to Lafayette, La in October 2013 and have been back there multiple times since, often staying with friends I met as couchsurfing hosts during one of first couple trips. Since then I've couchsurfed in Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Cuba and Japan. I always travel on a tight budget, so CSing really helps, but the BEST thing about CSing for me has been meeting local people, learning about the local area, culture and customs and getting introduced to my hosts' friends and lifestyles.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been a member of couchsurfing.org for nearly ten years and used it to meet people and find lodging on 7-8 trips so far. I'm very familiar with its core concepts. I've travelled to many different places throughout my life and I've always reached out to meet locals, oftentimes stayed with them, and tried to immerse myself in their language and culture. It's a much more interesting way to travel. I'm always happy to have guests in my home and share my love of Alaska and life with them .

Interests

I love the Alaska wilderness, dancing, languages, travelling, old-time music, backcountry skiing, interesting people, political science, spirituality.

• culture
• beauty
• festivals
• dancing
• waltz
• environment
• instructor
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• kayaking
• skiing
• hockey
• olympics
• languages
• political science
• science
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: I watched lots of movies with my children when they were growing up snd enjoyed it immensely regardless of the movies they picked. We are still big fans of the Marvel Universe. Music: I like music for dancing - swing, Lindyhop, blues, Cajun, zydeco, waltzes, old-time, folk and bluegrass. Books: I love to read but get so captivated that everything else in life stops, including sleep, so I don't dare read too often. I've read the Harry Potter series three times and counting.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've swum with sharks in the Galapagos, paddled in a kayak for 200+ miles across Prince William Sound in Alaska, twice, volunteered at three Olympics, met President Jimmy Carter, and watched the US - Russian hockey game ("Miracle on Ice") live at the 1980 Winter Olympics. And I've watched the miracle of life unfold while raising my two children.

Teach, Learn, Share

As a community volunteer I have taught dancing (swing, waltz, Cajun, clogging), avalanche safety and rescue, safe mountain travel, search and rescue, kayaking skills and rescue. I'm a square and contra dance caller. I love to tell stories about Alaska and all of its wonder, adventure and beauty. I spent my professional life working to protect Alaska's environment and natural resources, both from within the government and with environmental groups. It's all part of loving Alaska.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Russian Federation, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, Russian Federation, United States

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